BATHURST’S $5 million bike park on the Vale Road is starting to take shape.
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Work is now at the stage where the velodrome component of the first stage is clearly visible.
A technically demanding part of the project, the banked oval track has exacting design specifics.
Cycling fanatic and the winning contractor for the development, EODO Pty Ltd’s Bruce Goddard, has been hands-on in his pursuit of excellence on the project.
He said more than 15,000 cubic metres of granite material have been used to shape the velodrome, which has grades between 10 per cent and 25 per cent on the turns.
The racing line, about a metre out from the inside of the circuit, is also proving to be a challenge as it has to be precisely 333.33 metres, or one kilometre for a three-lap dash.
“We are shaping the track and the profile is basically finished,” Mr Goddard said.
“There is also the education track on the internal section of the velodrome, which is also advancing well.
“The next step will be to put a topping of gravel down and from there we can do the bitumen seal and final hotmix asphalt coating, which will make it nice and smooth and very fast.
“We have the light poles delivered and on site and they will go in after the sealing, while the connection of services to the location is progressing slowly.”
Mr Goddard said at this stage he is confident stage one will be completed around December.
For Bathurst Regional councillor Greg Westman, the project’s beginnings go back to before he was elected to office more than five years ago.
“Planning goes back to 2006-07 and each year funds have been put aside. This hasn’t all just happened overnight,” he said.
“It’s a facility that was really needed, because cycling plays an important sporting role in the region.
“The track at the sportsground had well and truly reached its use-by date and is very dangerous with that perimeter fence.
“This new facility marks a whole new beginning.”
Cr Westman said a clubhouse overlooking the velodrome, a BMX and mountain bike track would also be incorporated in the bike park precinct – which, he said, many people will be surprised to know, comprises about 70 hectares.
He said the education centre in the middle of the velodrome would be a mini-roadway teaching facility where handling skills and road safety can be taught to juniors.
It will also be made available to schools.
“The development will be rolled out over three, or possibly four stages,” he said.
“Stage two will be the addition of a kermesse course (road racing track covering 1.2km) and the start of the mountain bike course.
“Stage three is for a BMX track, the completion of the mountain bike course and the finalisation of the car parking area.”